Chemotherapy Drugs: What They Are, How They Work, and What You Need to Know

When you hear chemotherapy drugs, powerful medications used to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. Also known as cancer meds, they’re one of the most common tools doctors use to treat tumors—whether to shrink them before surgery, destroy leftover cells after, or manage advanced disease. But they’re not magic bullets. These drugs don’t just target cancer. They hit any fast-dividing cell in your body, which is why side effects like hair loss, nausea, and fatigue happen. That’s not a bug—it’s the design. The goal is to outpace cancer before your body gives out.

Not all chemotherapy drugs, powerful medications used to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. Also known as cancer meds, they’re one of the most common tools doctors use to treat tumors—whether to shrink them before surgery, destroy leftover cells after, or manage advanced disease. work the same way. Some, like tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator used to treat hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer, block hormones that feed tumors. Others, like dabigatran, an anticoagulant used to prevent stroke in atrial fibrillation, aren’t chemo at all—but you’ll see them mentioned alongside chemo because patients often take them together to manage complications. Then there are drugs like metformin, a diabetes medication being studied for potential anti-cancer effects, which aren’t approved for cancer yet but show up in research because they might help slow tumor growth. The line between chemo and other meds is blurrier than you think.

Side effects vary wildly. One person might feel fine on a certain chemo drug, while another can’t leave the house. That’s because it depends on the drug, the dose, your age, your overall health, and even your genes. Some chemo drugs are easier on the body than others. Newer ones, like targeted therapies and immunotherapies, are designed to be more precise—but they’re not always covered by insurance, and they’re not always better. Many patients still rely on older, cheaper chemo drugs because they work, and they’re available. You don’t need the latest drug to beat cancer. You need the right one for you.

What you’ll find below isn’t a list of every chemo drug ever made. It’s a collection of real, practical comparisons and guides from people who’ve walked this path. You’ll see how tamoxifen stacks up against other hormone treatments, how metformin interacts with alcohol during cancer care, and why drug shortages are making it harder to get the meds you need. These aren’t theory pieces. They’re tools for making smarter choices when the stakes are high. Whether you’re a patient, a caregiver, or just trying to understand what’s happening, this is the kind of info that actually helps.